News, notes, and narratives documenting my research and writing experiences as a columnist in the "Civil War News," the author of "Faces of the Civil War" and "Faces of the Confederacy," and as a collector of Civil War photography.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

What Will Be Gained by the Present War?

This is a question that Sgt. Charles W. Singer of the 107th U.S. Colored Infantry asked and then answered in a letter to the editor of the Christian Recorder (Philadelphia, Pa.). This is an excerpt of the complete letter published on Oct. 8, 1864.

The question has frequently been asked: What will be gained by the present war? I ask, in return: What will you not lose by a mongrel state of peace? We would lose the best opportunity that has ever been afforded us to show the whole world that we are willing to fight for our rights. Why should not the black slave of the South fight for his liberty as well as the white serf of Russia? A slave is but a slave, and a man is but a man. Age or color is nothing - blood will tell all. The so-called southern Confederacy is fighting for the establishment of a Government, which will have for its corner-stone the perpetuation of human slavery - the degradation of the many for the purpose of elevating the few; but never shall they succeed so long as I can raise my arm against them. Who ever learned in the school of base submission the lessons of freedom, courage and independence? When did submission to a wrong induce an adversary to cease his encroachments? Some say: "Show me what the colored man has to fight for, and then I will go." You cannot see it now; but wait until some future day, and it will unfold itself most gloriously to the whole country. We want the rights of freemen, and must have them; but we can never get them if the South gain its independence. If I were now a slave at the South, my motto would be: "Give me liberty, or give me death!" I hope that motto will ring throughout the entire length and breadth of the rebel States, and fire the hearts of the men. Shall we not console our aged mothers with the hope, that, when hereafter their souls, crowned with the garlands of martyrdom, look down from the home of the blessed, the united joys of the heavens shall thrill through their immortal spirits, seeing their dear people free from the bondage of slavery?

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About Me

Name: Ron Coddington

Location: Arlington, Va., United States

I am currently searching for original, wartime photographs of African American soldiers in uniform who served in the Civil War. These images, and the life stories of each subject, will be published in my next book. If you are descended from a soldier, or are a collector or museum professional in possession of photographs that meet my criteria, please contact me.
I have been collecting Civil War cartes de visite, a photographic format about the size of a modern baseball card, since my teen years. In 2000, I began researching identified soldiers in my collection and was inspired by their stories. The following year I began writing a column in the "Civil War News." I am the author of two books, both published by The Johns Hopkins University Press: "Faces of the Civil War" (2004) and "Faces of the Confederacy" (2008). I am a career visual journalist, and currently USA TODAY's art director. Born in New Jersey, I am a 1985 University of Georgia graduate. My wife, Anne, and I are proud parents of two pugs, Missy and Bella.